Crime Is Not Welcome In Towson

Baltimore County extends pilot social host program to crack down on college parties – BaltimoreSun.com

By Alison Knezevich
The Baltimore Sun

A Baltimore County pilot program meant to crack down on unruly parties in Towson will be extended through 2022.

Under the law, first passed by the County Council in early 2016, offenders face fines and community service, while their landlords can be fined and eventually lose their rental license if their tenants are cited for repeated offenses.

The “social host” program was scheduled to expire early in 2018. At the council’s meeting Monday in Towson, members voted 7-0 to extend the law another five years.

Councilman David Marks

“Our first priority as a County Council is to do whatever is needed to preserve the peace of mind and security of our neighbors,” said Councilman David Marks, a Republican who represents Towson. Marks had proposed the program initially, and also sponsored the bill to extend it.

“It is not just a public safety issue, but also a private property rights issue, since disruptive incidents over many years devalue homes and destabilize whole neighborhoods,” he said.

Under another change approved Monday, the ordinance now will apply to all areas encompassed by the county police department’s Towson precinct. Previously, a number of neighborhoods were included, but not the entire precinct.

Marks said the change was made in response to neighborhoods that wanted to be included under the ordinance, and also to simplify the boundaries.